Exploring visual journalism

Forest Diner in Ellicott City to serve its last meal Monday

Starting out as an original Silk City dining car that expanded over the years, Forest Diner has decided to close its doors after dishing out coffee and eggs in Howard County since 1946. Patrons will have to savor the taste and say good-bye when the popular Ellicott City institution closes at the end of the day on May 28.

(R-L) Rich Dietrich and Dave Eberhart, both of Ellicott City, look at old menus from the ’80s while John Miller, also of Ellicott City, reads the newspaper at the Forest Diner on May 21. Waitress Ellen Jackson (not pictured) found the old menus when she was cleaning and gave them to longtime customers as mementos. The diner will close at the end of the day on May 28. Dietrich says he has been coming to the diner since 1969. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

Andrew Hays, 3, of Columbia and his father, Guerin Hays, wait for their breakfast at the Forest Diner on May 21. The diner has served customers in Ellicott City since 1946, but will close on May 28. The servers and kitchen staff will work across the street at Jilly’s, which will begin serving breakfast after the diner closes. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

Fred Torcaso, of Ellicott City, shows a video of his son to server Ellen Jackson at the Forest Dinner. In the video, Torcaso’s son is saying hello to “Miss Ellen.” Jackson began working at the diner in 1994. Another frequent dinner, John Miller, said “the people who wait on you here make the place, make the atmosphere.” (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

The walls of the Forest Diner are lined with diner memorabilia. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

Waitress Ellen Jackson, of Ellicott City, jokes with Albert Stokes, of Annapolis, on May 21. Jackson has been working at the diner since 1994. Although she works six days a week, she says she almost always stops by on her day off to see friends. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

Albert Stokes, of Annapolis, jokingly shows off his muscles while eating breakfast at the Forest Diner. Stokes has been eating at the diner since he moved to the area in 1983. The Forest Diner is an original Silk City dining car that has dished out coffee and eggs in Howard County since 1946, but additions have been added to the original diner in recent years. The diner will close at the end of the day on May 28. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

The ecclectic decorations at the Forest Diner include three singing mounted fish. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

Mary Ellen Peters, of Ellicott City, has been a regular at the Forest Diner since 1990, but she first visited the diner in 1948. On the morning of May 21, she worked on a crossword puzzle while chatting with other regulars. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

Forest Diner waitress Ellen Jackson found old menus from the ’80s when she was cleaning and gave them to longtime customers as mementos. The menu featured a T-bone steak special for $5.50. The diner will close at the end of the day on May 28 after 66 years in business. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

The Forest Motel closed in 2009, and after the Forest Diner closes on May 28, the lot will be cleared to make way for a mixed-use development. The ice cream stand, Soft Stuff, will remain open. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

After the Forest Diner closes on May 28, the lot will be cleared to make way for a mixed-use development. (Sarah Pastrana/Patuxent Homestead)

Related Reading

After 66 years, Forest Diner set to serve last meals May 28
By Karen Nitkin/

It’s Sunday morning, so that means Dick Weinknecht and Rick Dietrich are in their usual perches — sitting atop the red-vinyl-covered stools at the counter of the Forest Diner, nearly-empty coffee cups and folded newspapers in front of them.

“I come here for breakfast seven days a week,” said Dietrich. “Four days a week I eat oatmeal, then I mix it up with eggs.”

The Darkroom offers Facebook and WordPress commenting in the hopes of fostering constructive conversation among our users. Please abide by our
Terms of Service when commenting on the site.

Categories

ABOUT THE DARKROOM

The Darkroom, the photography and video blog of The Baltimore Sun, shines a light on visually captivating stories of our past and present. It showcases the exciting work of our staff, offers tips in the craft, and highlights the emerging community of independent media makers. We want your feedback – please contact us with suggestions and ideas.